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afraid of a scandal. Considering your reputation, he may have reason for that.”
    Looking into her eyes, smiling his roguish smile, he spoke quietly, “I believe you may be my only source of consolation during this party, Miss Hamilton.”
    “Now, what shall we talk about that is not on the safe list of topics?” Ginny wondered how far she could push it and not be deemed a troublemaker, not that Ginny was above being a troublemaker.
    Clarendon considered this for a moment. He was very good at making small talk and making girls giggle. So far, Bethany seemed quite immune to his charms. She found him attractive, he knew, but she hadn't pursued him and continuously engage him in meaningless chat.
    Finally, she asked, “What sort of things did you do as a youth, my lord? Were you the rapscallion I imagine or were you quite reserved?”
    Interesting question, Clarendon thought to himself. “I was quite the hellion, Miss Hamilton. I went through governesses and tutors on a nearly daily basis.” As he spoke of his childhood, they continued their walk around the garden. He was in his element, speaking about himself. He also enjoyed an audience that he knew would not judge him.
    “So you see, Miss Hamilton. I may be quite irredeemable.”
    “Lord Clarendon, I know it is quite improper, but I would prefer if you called me Bethany,” Ginny said, knowing that she would really prefer he call her Ginny, but could not think of any logical reason why he should do that. “At least when we are alone.”
    He smiled and said, “I would like that too, Bethany.”
When he said nothing else, she stopped him, bunched up her eyebrows and asked, “And may I call you by your first name?”
    “Well, now, that would be even more improper. My mother never referred to my father by his Christian name, even when alone.”
    “I'm not your mother, my lord.”
    “No, you are definitely not. My Christian name is Miles. I would be honored if you called me Miles when we are alone. I would be very careful not to refer to me as such in company such as your mother or Lord Whitmore though.”
    “I spoke to Lord Whitmore for most of the morning and never got the feeling that he would allow me the same courtesy.”
    “I daresay not.” Continuing their walk, he asked, “You spent this morning with Lord Whitmore?” Miles was striving for nonchalance, but thought he may have sounded curiously desperate.
    “Yes. I woke up very early, not even realizing that most people didn't get up until after ten. The only other person up was Lord Whitmore. We had breakfast together and then took a stroll through the gardens.”
    “And what did you have to talk about. You could not have been expounding on the weather for all that time.” Miles hated to admit that he was extremely curious. Whitmore had on many an occasion expressed a desire not to marry anytime soon. He had traveling plans that he didn't want interrupted. For him to spend so much time with an unmarried woman would be strange for a man with his plans.
    “Mostly we talked about politics. I stole his newspaper this morning and read it before he came to breakfast. We discussed the articles.” Ginny paused for a moment, wondering if she should ask him about Whitmore. In the end, she figured it didn't really matter. “Tell me, Miles. Have you known Lord Whitmore long?”
    “We went to school together. I tried valiantly to get him into trouble and he tried just as valiantly to keep me out of it. So, you see, we were meant to be friends.”
    “He has been very kind to me, taking time out of his day to entertain me. I was surprised though. My father made it very clear to my mother that Lord Whitmore didn't want to get married. At his age and considering his need for an heir, I was curious as to why. He didn't seem the type of man who...” Ginny stopped, waiting to see if Miles would pick up her unspoken question.
    “The type of man who what, Bethany?” Well, he either didn't pick up the unspoken